Electric vehicle charging system

ABSTRACT

An electric vehicle (EV) charging system includes a number of output connections (e.g., cables). Each of the output connections is connected to at least one head, and each head can be connected concurrently to an EV. A controller can direct a charging current, delivered over a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply, to a first one of the output connections if a first EV is connected to a head connected to the first one of the output connections. Then, the charging current to the first one of the output connections can be stopped, switched to a second one of the output connections, and restarted if a second EV is connected to a head connected to the second one of the output connections.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/263,564, titled “Multiple Vehicle Charging Stations Per Power Circuitand Time Multiplexing Charging Method,” filed on Dec. 4, 2015,incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is relatedto the copending applications with Attorney Docket Nos.CYSW-0001-02U00US and CYSW-0001-03U00US, titled “An Electric VehicleCharging Method” and “An Electric Vehicle Charging System Interface,”respectively, both by C. Reynolds et al., both of which are incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles (EVs) rely on batteries that periodically need to becharged. EV owners can readily charge their vehicles at home, where theyhave exclusive access to home charging stations or electrical outlets.But when away from home, EV owners rely on and have to share chargingstations in public or private places such as workplaces, shoppingcenters, movie venues, restaurants, and hotels.

The demand for charging stations is increasing as the number of EVscontinues to increase. Businesses are starting to add charging stationsto their parking lots as a perk for their employees and customers. Also,some local governments are mandating that businesses add chargingstations.

Thus, whether driven by consumer demand or government mandate, morecharging stations are being installed outside the home. However, thecost of a charging station (hardware, including dedicated power lines,and installation) is relatively high and is usually borne by thebusiness owner. Accordingly, a solution that reduces the cost of acharging station would be valuable, by lessening the burden onbusinesses while increasing the availability of charging stations to EVowners.

Even if the cost of a charging station (including installation) isreduced, it will remain inefficient from a cost point-of-view to installenough charging stations to satisfy peak demand. Thus, charging stationswill still need to be shared. EV owners by their nature understand theneed to share charging stations, but nevertheless they areinconvenienced by the need to move their vehicle from a parking space toa charging station once the charging station becomes available, and thenmove their vehicle to another parking space after their vehicle ischarged to make room for another vehicle. Accordingly, a solution thatmakes it easier for EV owners to share charging stations would also bevaluable.

SUMMARY

In embodiments according to the present disclosure, a single circuit(power supply circuit) is routed to multiple charging stations (or to asingle station that has multiple charging connectors, which are referredto herein as output connections, connectors, or cables). At any onetime, only one of the charging stations/connectors on that singlecircuit is being used to charge a vehicle. That vehicle is charged for aspecified period of time (e.g., 30 minutes), charging of that vehicle isthen stopped, and then the next charging station/connector on the singlecircuit is used to charge another vehicle for a specified period of time(e.g., 30 minutes, or some other length of time), and so on. Forexample, if there are four charging stations/connectors on a singlecircuit and a vehicle is connected to each charging station/connector,then vehicle 1 at station/connector 1 is charged for a specified timeperiod (the other vehicles are not being charged while vehicle 1 ischarged), then vehicle 2 at station/connector 2 is charged, and so on,then back to vehicle 1 at station/connector 1 in, for example,round-robin fashion. If a vehicle is not connected to a chargingstation/connector, or if the vehicle connected to a chargingstation/connector does not need to be charged, then that chargingstation/connector is automatically bypassed.

More specifically, in an embodiment, an EV charging system includes acontroller that controls a charging current that can be provided to anumber of output connections (e.g., cables). As mentioned above, theoutput connections may be connected to the same charging station or theoutput connection may be connected to different charging stations. Eachof the output connections is connected to at least one head, and eachhead can be connected concurrently to an EV. The controller can direct acharging current, delivered over a dedicated circuit from an electricpower supply or panel, to a first one of the output connections if afirst EV is connected to a head connected to the first one of the outputconnections. Then, the charging current to the first one of the outputconnections can be stopped, switched to a second one of the outputconnections, and restarted if a second EV is connected to a headconnected to the second one of the output connections.

In an embodiment, the controller includes a processor (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU)) and a number of channels controlled by the CPU.Each of the channels can be connected to at least one head through arespective output connection. The CPU can direct a charging current fromthe input power supply to only one of the channels at a time if multipleEVs are concurrently connected to the heads. In an embodiment, eachchannel includes a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor that can beused to determine whether an EV is connected to a head that is connectedto the channel.

In an embodiment, the charging current is directed to the first one ofthe output connections for a first interval of time, stopped when thefirst interval expires, and then directed to the second one of theoutput connections and restarted for a second interval of time (if an EVis connected to the second output connection). The length of the firstinterval and the length of the second interval are individuallyprogrammable. In an embodiment, the first interval and the secondinterval are not more than 30 minutes each in length.

In another embodiment, the charging current is directed to the first oneof the output connections until the charging current drops to athreshold, stopped when the threshold is reached, and then directed tothe second one of the output connections and restarted.

In an embodiment, the charging current is directed to the outputconnections in round-robin fashion if multiple EVs are concurrentlyconnected to the output connections.

In an embodiment, the output connections include an output connectionthat is designated as a priority connection, in which case the chargingcurrent is directed to the priority connection more frequently than tothe other output connections.

In an embodiment, before the charging current is provided to an outputconnection, the controller automatically determines whether there is anelectrical load (e.g., an EV) connected to the output connection. Thecharging current is not directed to the output connection if there isnot an electrical load.

In an embodiment, before the charging current is provided to an outputconnection, the controller automatically determines whether an EVconnected to the output connection requires charging. The chargingcurrent is not provided to the output connection if the EV does notrequire charging.

In an embodiment, before a charging current is provided to an outputconnection, the controller automatically determines whether the outputconnection is already drawing a current, which indicates the possibilityof a fault condition.

Embodiments according to the present invention thus include, but are notlimited to, the following features: multiple physical chargingstations/connections per power circuit; rotating (e.g., round-robin)charging; and automatic charging of multiple vehicles without userintervention. By allowing multiple charging stations to share a commonpower circuit, the overall cost of installing a charging stationdecreases substantially.

More specifically, because only a single circuit is used for multiplecharging stations/connections, costs are reduced. In other words, it isnot necessary to pay for a dedicated circuit for each charging station,for example. New charging stations that share the same power circuit canbe added at a reduced cost per station, and therefore more chargingstations can be installed for the same cost. Existing infrastructure(e.g., an existing circuit) can be readily modified to accommodatemultiple charging stations/connections instead of a single chargingstation with a single output connection.

With more charging stations, vehicle charging is more convenient. Forinstance, vehicles will not have to be moved as frequently. From anemployee's perspective, the availability of a convenient (and free)charging station at the workplace is a perk. From an employer'sperspective, the availability of a convenient charging station mayencourage employees to stay at work longer in order to get a free chargebefore leaving, plus employees' productivity may increase because theydo not have to move their cars as frequently.

These and other objects and advantages of the various embodimentsaccording to the present invention will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art after reading the following detaileddescription of the embodiments that are illustrated in the variousdrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification and in which like numerals depict like elements,illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedetailed description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elements of a multivehicle chargingsystem in an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of charging one or moreelectric vehicles (EVs) in an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a multivehiclecharging system in an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a controller for amultivehicle charging station in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple vehicles charging at acharging station with multiple output connections in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a charge signature for anEV used for managing charging in an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a graphical user interface (GUI) that is rendered on adisplay device in an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations associated with monitoring and managing a network of EVcharging stations in an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device orcomputer system capable of implementing embodiments according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While described in conjunction with theseembodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limitthe disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure isintended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which maybe included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined bythe appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed descriptionof the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits within a computer memory.These descriptions and representations are the means used by thoseskilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In the presentapplication, a procedure, logic block, process, or the like, isconceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructionsleading to a desired result. The steps are those utilizing physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals astransactions, bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, samples,pixels, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present disclosure,discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” “directing,” “sending,”“stopping,” “determining,” “generating,” “displaying,” “indicating,” orthe like, refer to actions and processes (e.g., flowcharts 1100, 1200,1300, and 1800 of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 18, respectively) of anapparatus or computer system or similar electronic computing device orprocessor (e.g., the device 1900 of FIG. 19). A computer system orsimilar electronic computing device manipulates and transforms datarepresented as physical (electronic) quantities within memories,registers or other such information storage, transmission or displaydevices.

Embodiments described herein may be discussed in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions residing on some form ofcomputer-readable storage medium, such as program modules, executed byone or more computers or other devices. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable storage media may comprise non-transitorycomputer storage media and communication media. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., anSSD or NVMD) or other memory technology, compact disk ROM (CD-ROM),digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store thedesired information and that can accessed to retrieve that information.

Communication media can embody computer-executable instructions, datastructures, and program modules, and includes any information deliverymedia. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared andother wireless media. Combinations of any of the above can also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

In overview, in embodiments according to the present disclosure, asingle circuit (power circuit) is routed to multiple charging stations(or to a single station that has multiple charging connectors, which arereferred to herein as output connections, connectors, or cables). At anyone time, only one of the charging stations/connectors on that singlecircuit is being used to charge a vehicle. That vehicle is charged for aspecified period of time (e.g., 30 minutes), charging of that vehicle isthen stopped, and then the next charging station/connector on the singlecircuit is used to charge another vehicle for a specified period of time(e.g., 30 minutes, or some other length of time), and so on according toa charging sequence or procedure. For example, if there are fourcharging stations/connectors on a single circuit and a vehicle isconnected to each charging station/connector, then vehicle 1 atstation/connector 1 is charged for a specified time period (the othervehicles are not being charged while vehicle 1 is charged), then vehicle2 at station/connector 2 is charged, and so on, then back to vehicle 1at station/connector 1 in, for example, round-robin fashion (around-robin charging sequence). If a vehicle is not connected to acharging station/connector, or if the vehicle connected to a chargingstation/connector does not need to be charged, then that chargingstation/connector is bypassed in accordance with the charging procedure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing selected elements of a multivehiclecharging system 100 in an embodiment according to the invention. Themultivehicle charging system 100 can include a number of differentcharging stations such as the charging station 110. Each chargingstation includes an input 108 that receives a voltage. The voltage comesfrom an electrical panel (main alternating current [AC] power source130) and is delivered over a dedicated circuit 131 to a charging stationor a group of charging stations, depending on the implementation; seeFIGS. 4-8 for information about different implementations. There may bemultiple electrical panels and multiple circuits, depending on thenumber of charging stations. Each charging station includes powerelectronics (not shown) such as wires, capacitors, transformers, andother electronic components.

In the example of FIG. 1, the multivehicle charging system 100 alsoincludes a number of output cables or output connections 141, 142, 143,and 144 (141-144). As will be described, depending on theimplementation, a charging station can have only a single outputconnection, or a charging station can have multiple output connections.Thus, depending on the implementation, the output connections 141-144can all be coupled to a single charging station, or each of the outputconnections can be coupled to a respective charging station (one outputconnection per charging station); see FIGS. 4-8 for additionalinformation. While four output connections are illustrated and describedin the example of FIG. 1, embodiments according to the invention are notso limited; there can be fewer than four output connections per chargingstation, or more than four output connections per charging station.

As will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-8 below, a controller106 (which may also be referred as the electric vehicle mastercontroller) manages distribution of electricity in the multivehiclecharging system 100. The controller 106 may perform other functions,such as metering of power usage and storage of information related tocharging events. Depending on the implementation, the multivehiclecharging system 100 can include multiple controllers. Depending on theimplementation, a controller may manage EV charging at multiple chargingstations, or a controller may manage EV charging at a single chargingstation. FIGS. 5-8, described below, illustrate differentimplementations of the controller 106.

Continuing with reference to the example of FIG. 1, each of the outputcables or connections 141-144 is coupled to at least one head (the heads111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively). A head may be a plug that can beplugged into a socket on an electric vehicle (EV) such as the EVs 120and 121. Alternatively, a head may be a socket that can be connected toa plug from an EV. In general, a head is configured to connect to an EVand deliver a charging current to an EV to which it is connected. In theexample of FIG. 1, a single head is connected to each output cable. Inan embodiment, multiple heads are connected to one or more of the outputconnections 141-144 (see the discussion below of FIGS. 7 and 8).

An EV can be any type of vehicle such as, but not limited to, a car,truck, motorcycle, golf cart, or motorized (power-assisted) bicycle.

Embodiments according to the invention can be utilized in Level 2 orLevel 3 charging stations, although the invention is not limited to suchtypes of charging stations and can be utilized in other types that maycome into existence in the future. In an embodiment, the maximumcharging current is 32 amps, but again embodiments according to theinvention are not so limited.

In embodiments according to the invention, using the example of FIG. 1,the multivehicle charging system 100 provides a charging current to onlyone of the output connections 141-144 at a time if multiple EVs (e.g.,EVs 120 and 121) are concurrently connected to the charging station viathe heads. That is, for example, if the period of time in which the EV120 is connected to the output connection 144 overlaps the period oftime in which the EV 121 is connected to the output connection 143, thena charging current is supplied to only one of those two EVs at a time.

In an embodiment, a charging current is not provided to an outputconnection if there is not an electrical load (e.g., an EV) connected tothat output connection. In an embodiment, a charging current is notprovided to an output connection if the EV connected to that outputconnection does not require further charging.

In an embodiment, in the example of FIG. 1, a charging current isprovided to a first one of the output connections 141-144 for aninterval of time and then the charging current is stopped, switched toanother one of the output connections, restarted for another interval oftime (whose length may be the same as or different from the length ofthe preceding interval of time), and so on, until a charging current hasbeen provided to all of the output connections that are connected to anEV, at which point the cycle begins again.

In an embodiment, each interval is 30 minutes in length, but theinvention is not so limited. The length of each interval is programmableand is changeable. The length of an interval for an output connectioncan be different from that of another output connection; in other words,the lengths of the intervals do not have to be the same across all ofthe output connections 141-144.

In another embodiment, a charging current is provided to one of theoutput connections 141-144 until the charging current drops below athreshold amount (e.g., 50 percent of peak), the charging current tothat output connection is stopped, switched to another one of the outputconnections, restarted until the charging current again drops below athreshold amount, and so on (additional detail is provided below in theexample of FIG. 10).

With reference still to the example of FIG. 1, in an embodiment, acharging current is provided to each of the output connections connectedto an EV in round-robin fashion, one output connection at a time. Forexample, if EVs are connected to all of the output connections 141-144,then a charging current is provided to the output connection 141, thento output connection 142, then to output connection 143, then to outputconnection 144, then back to output connection 141, and so on(additional detail is provided below in the example of FIG. 9).

As noted above, if an output connection is not connected to an EV or ifthe EV does not require further charging, then the output connection isautomatically skipped. However, the invention is not so limited. Forexample, an output connection can be designated as a priorityconnection, in which case a charging current is provided to the priorityconnection more frequently or for a longer period of time than to otheroutput connections. More specifically, if there are four outputconnections (1, 2, 3, and 4) that are used in round-robin fashion, thenthe charging sequence would be 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4, etc. (assuming an EV isconnected to each of the output connections). If output connection 2 isdesignated as a priority connection, then the charging sequence might be1-2-3-2-4-2-1-2-3-2-4-2, etc., or 2-1-2-3-4-2-1-2-3-4-2, etc. (again,assuming an EV is connected to each of the output connections). Thecharging procedure or sequence is programmable and is changeable. Interms of charging time, if output connection 2 is designated as apriority connection, then the charging times might be (in minutes)30-60-30-30-30-60-30-30, etc. (assuming a round-robin procedure and anEV is connected to each of the output connections).

As mentioned above, in an embodiment, if there is not an EV connected tothe output connection, then a charging current is not supplied to theoutput connection; in other words, that output connection is skipped. Insuch an embodiment, before a charging current is provided to an outputconnection, the charging system is configured to detect whether an EV isconnected to that output connection (additional detail is provided belowin the example of FIG. 4). Thus, in the example of FIG. 1, a check ismade to determine whether an EV is connected to the output connection143, a charging current is then provided to the output connection 143since the EV 121 is connected to that output connection, the chargingcurrent to the output connection 143 is stopped, a check is made todetermine whether an EV is connected to the output connection 144, acharging current is then provided to the output connection 144 since theEV 120 is connected to that output connection, the charging current tothe output connection 144 is stopped, a check is made to determinewhether an EV is connected to the output connection 141, a chargingcurrent is not provided to the output connection 141 since an EV is notconnected to that output connection, a check is made to determinewhether an EV is connected to the output connection 142, and so on.

Also as mentioned above, in an embodiment, a charging current is notprovided to an output connection if the EV connected to that outputconnection does not require further charging. In such an embodiment,before a charging current is provided to an output connection, thecharging system is configured to automatically determine whether or notan EV connected to an output connection requires a charge. For example,an EV's charge signature or state of charge (SOC) can be provided by theEV or accessed by the charging system to determine whether the EV'sbatteries are fully charged or at least charged to a threshold amount(see the discussion of FIG. 4 below). If the batteries are fully orsatisfactorily charged, then a charging current is not supplied to theoutput connection; in other words, that output connection is skipped.Thus, in this embodiment and with reference to the example of FIG. 1, acheck is made to determine whether an EV is connected to the outputconnection 143 and whether the EV needs to be charged. Because the EV121 is connected to the output connection 143, a charging current maythen be provided to the output connection 143 if that EV requires acharge. The charging current to the output connection 143 is stopped,and a check is then made to determine whether another EV is connected tothe output connection 144 and whether that EV needs to be charged.Because the EV 120 is connected to the output connection 144, a chargingcurrent may then be provided to the output connection 144 if that EVrequires a charge. This process continues to the next output connectionuntil all output connections have been checked, and then returns to thefirst output connection to begin another cycle.

The flowchart 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates a method of charging one or moreEVs in an embodiment according to the invention. In block 202, an outputconnection is selected or accessed. In block 204, a determination ismade whether there is a load (an EV) present on the selected outputconnection. This determination can be made automatically. If not, thenthe flowchart 200 returns to block 202 and another output connection isselected or accessed in accordance with a charging sequence orprocedure. If there is a load present, then the flowchart 200 proceedsto block 206. In block 206, a check is made to determine whether the EVrequires a charge. If so, then the flowchart 200 proceeds to block 208;otherwise, the flowchart returns to block 202 and another outputconnection is selected or accessed. In block 208, a charging current isprovided to the selected output connection. In block 210, adetermination is made whether a condition is satisfied. The conditionmay be, for example, an interval of time has expired or the chargingcurrent to the selected output connection has decreased to a thresholdvalue. If the condition is satisfied, then the charging current to theselected output connection is stopped in block 212, and then theflowchart 200 returns to block 202 and another output connection isselected or accessed according to the charging sequence or procedure. Ifthe condition is not satisfied, then the flowchart 200 returns to block208 and the charging current to the selected output connection iscontinued.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a multivehiclecharging system in an embodiment according to the invention. Only asingle power circuit is illustrated; however, the present invention isnot so limited. In other words, multiple such systems can be implementedin parallel.

In the example of FIG. 3, main power is delivered over a dedicatedcircuit 131 from an electrical panel 302 (e.g., from the main AC powersource 130) to a controller 106, which also may be referred to as acyber switching block. The controller 106 is in communication with agraphical user interface (GUI) 304 implemented on a computer system 1900(the GUI is described further in conjunction with FIGS. 14-18).Communication between the controller 106 and the computer system 1900may be implemented using a wired and/or wireless connection and mayoccur directly and/or over the Internet or an intranet (e.g., anEthernet or local area network). In an embodiment, the controller 106 isin the charging station 110. In another embodiment, the controller 106is not in the charging station 110, but is in communication with thecharging station.

In the example of FIG. 3, the controller 106 has four channels: channels1, 2, 3, and 4 (1-4). Depending on the implementation, each channel canbe connected to a respective charging station, or each channel can beconnected to a respective output connection. This is described furtherin conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating elements of the controller 106 inan embodiment according to the invention. In the example of FIG. 4, thecontroller 106 includes a processor (e.g., a central processing unit(CPU)) 402 that can be coupled to the computer system 1900 and the GUI304 via a communication interface 404, which as mentioned above iscapable of wireless and/or wired communication. The controller 106 canbe implemented on a single printed circuit board (PCB) that has a lowvoltage side (e.g., containing the CPU) and a separate high voltage side(the main power side). In an embodiment, the processor 402 is powered bya separate, low voltage (e.g., five volt) power supply 406. In anembodiment, the controller 106 includes memory 401, which can be used tostore information related to charging events, for example.

The main AC power source 130 is connected to each of the channels 1-4 bya respective relay R or switch that is individually controlled by theprocessor 402. As described herein, by turning on and off the relay orswitch, a charging current is provided to a first one of the channels,the charging current to the first one of the channels is then turnedoff, a charging current is then provided to a second one of thechannels, and so on. More specifically, for example, a charging currentcan be provided to a first one of the channels, turned off when aninterval of time expires or when a charging threshold is reached, thenprovided to a second one of the channels, and so on. Also, in variousembodiments, a charging current is provided to each of the channels onechannel at a time in round-robin fashion, and/or a channel is designatedas a priority channel, in which case a charging current is provided tothe priority channel more frequently than to other channels. Manydifferent charging sequences or procedures can be used.

In an embodiment, each of the channels 1-4 includes a respective currentsensor CT and a respective voltage sensor VS. Accordingly, thecontroller 106 can detect whether an electrical load (e.g., an EV) isconnected to a channel before a charging current is provided to thechannel. In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also detect a chargesignature for an EV connected to a channel before a charging current isprovided to the channel; if the charge signature indicates that the EVdoes not require further charging (e.g., it is fully charged), then thecharging current is not provided to the channel.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also automatically determinewhether a channel is already drawing a current before a charging currentis provided to the channel. If so, the controller indicates a faultcondition (actually, the possibility of a fault condition is indicated).For example, an alert can be displayed on the GUI 304. Diagnostics canthen be performed to determine whether an actual fault condition ispresent, and corrective actions can be performed if so.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also automatically determinewhether a channel is drawing a current greater than the amount it issupposed to be drawing and, if so, the controller indicates a faultcondition. For example, if the maximum current that should be drawn is32 amps and if an amperage greater than that is detected, then a faultcondition is indicated. For example, an alert can be displayed on theGUI 304. Diagnostics can then be performed to determine whether anactual fault condition is present, and corrective actions can beperformed if so.

In an embodiment, at the end of each cycle through all of the channels1-4, a check is made to ensure no channel is drawing a current. If achannel is drawing a current, then all relays are opened, and then acheck is completed again to ensure all channels are off and not drawingcurrent. Once it is confirmed that all channels are clear, themultivehicle charging process can then begin again.

In an embodiment, a channel is automatically shut down when anypower-related fault or issue is detected. In an embodiment, if a channelhas been shut down (either automatically or manually), the load check isbypassed on the channel until it is manually turned on again.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention. In the example of FIG. 5, the charging station 110 isconnected to an electrical panel (the main AC power source 130) via asingle (dedicated) circuit 131, and is also connected to the controller106. In an embodiment, the controller 106 is incorporated into thecharging station 110. Each of the channels 1-4 of the controller 106 isconnected to a respective one of the output connections 541, 542, 543,and 544 (541-544), which in turn are connected to heads 511, 512, 513,and 514 (511-514), respectively. In this implementation, the controller106 directs a charging current to the output connections 541-544, one ata time as described above, and thus also directs a charging current tothe heads 511-514, one at a time.

The implementation of FIG. 5 can be replicated, so that the multivehiclecharging system constitutes a part of a network of multiple chargingstations, each charging station capable of charging multiple EVs andeach charging station having its own dedicated circuit from theelectrical panel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of anotherimplementation of a multivehicle charging system in an embodimentaccording to the invention. In the example of FIG. 6, the controller 106is connected to an electrical panel (the main AC power source 130) via asingle (dedicated) circuit 131. Each of the channels 1-4 of thecontroller 106 is connected to a respective charging station 611, 612,613, and 614 (611-614), which in turn are connected to heads 651, 652,653, and 654 (651-654), respectively, by a respective output connection641, 642, 643, or 644 (641-644). In the FIG. 6 implementation, thecontroller 106 directs a charging current to the channels 1-4 one at atime, and hence to the charging stations 611-614 one at a time, and thusalso directs a charging current to the output connections 641-644 andthe heads 651-654, one at a time.

The implementation of FIG. 6 can be replicated, so that the multivehiclecharging system constitutes a part of a network of multiple chargingstations, with multiple charging stations connected to a singlecontroller and each controller having its own dedicated circuit from theelectrical panel.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to theinvention. The FIG. 7 embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5,except that the charging station 110 has at least one output connection(e.g., the output connection 741) that has more than one (e.g., two)heads 751 and 752. In an embodiment, the controller 106 is incorporatedinto the charging station 110.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the controller 106 directs a charging currentto the output connections 741, 542, 543, and 544, one at a time, asdescribed herein. When the charging current is directed to the outputconnection 741, it is split between the heads 751 and 752. For example,one of the heads receives about half of the charging current, and theother head receives the rest of the charging current. If the maximumcharging current is 32 amps, then the heads 751 and 752 each receiveabout 16 amps. In this manner, two EVs can be charged at the same timeeven though a charging current is provided to only one output connectionat a time.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of anotherimplementation of a multivehicle charging system in an embodimentaccording to the invention. The FIG. 8 embodiment is similar to theembodiment of FIG. 6, except that at least one of the channels in thecontroller 106 (e.g., channel 1) is connected to two charging stations610 and 611. The charging station 610 is connected to an outputconnection 840, which is connected to the head 850, and the chargingstation 611 is connected to the output connection 641, which isconnected to the head 642. In this embodiment, the controller 106directs a charging current to the channels 1-4, one channel at a time.However, when the charging current is directed to channel 1, thatcharging current can be split between the charging stations 610 and 611,and thus ultimately the charging current to channel 1 can be splitbetween the output connections 840 and 641 and hence between the heads850 and 651. Therefore, for example, when EVs are connected to the heads850 and 651, one of the heads receives about half of the chargingcurrent on channel 1, and the other head receives the rest of thatcharging current. In this manner, two EVs can be charged at the sametime even though a charging current is provided to only channel at atime.

Any combination of the implementations of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 can bedeployed within the same multivehicle charging network.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple vehicles charging at acharging station with multiple output connections in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure. Four output connections andvehicles are illustrated; however, the invention is not so limited.

In the example of FIG. 9, rotational charging is performed at 30-minuteintervals; however, the present invention is not limited to the use of30-minute intervals, and is also not limited to each vehicle beingcharged for the same length of time.

In the example of FIG. 9, vehicle 1 is charged for up to 30 minutes (ifit is fully charged in less than 30 minutes, then charging can bestopped early). Charging is stopped after 30 minutes and the outputconnector to vehicle 1 is turned off, and the next output connector ischecked to determine if it is connected to a load (e.g., anothervehicle). In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 2), and so theoutput connector for vehicle 2 is turned on and vehicle 2 is charged forup to 30 minutes, then charging is stopped and the connector to vehicle2 is turned off. The next output connector is checked to determine if itis connected to a load. In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 3),but the charge signature indicates that vehicle 3 is fully charged andso the connector to vehicle 3 is turned off and vehicle 3 is skipped.The next output connector is checked to determine if it is connected toa load. In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 4), and so theoutput connector for vehicle 4 is turned on and vehicle 4 is charged forup to 30 minutes, then charging is stopped and the connector to vehicle4 is turned off. This charging cycle then returns to the outputconnector for vehicle 1, and the cycle continues as just described untileach vehicle is fully charged. At any point, a vehicle can bedisconnected and replaced with another vehicle. If a vehicle is notconnected to an output connector, then that position in the cycle isskipped.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a charge signature for anEV (the amount of charging current versus time being delivered to theEV) used for managing charging in an embodiment according to theinvention. At time t0, the charging current is turned on and ramps up toits maximum value (100 percent). The maximum value may be 16 amps or 32amps, for example, depending on the type of EV (e.g. Level 2 or Level3). That is, some EVs (Level 2) are configured for a charging current of16 amps while other EVs (Level 3) are configured for a charging currentof 32 amps. In general, the charging station 110 or the controller 106(FIG. 4) can determine what type of EV is connected to the chargingsystem and can then deliver the correct amperage.

Continuing with the example of FIG. 10, after some period of time at 100percent, the EV is nearly fully charged and the charging current beginsto decrease. At time t1, the decreasing charging current has reached athreshold value (e.g., 50 percent).

In an embodiment, the charging current at each head (or outputconnection or channel) is monitored. In such an embodiment, when thecharging current decreases to a preset threshold value (e.g., 50percent, as in the example of FIG. 10), then the charging current isstopped and the charging current is switched to another head (or outputconnection or channel). Relative to the example of FIG. 9, instead ofturning off the charging current to an output connection when a timeinterval expires or when the EV is fully charged, the charging currentis turned off when it decreases to a threshold value.

The charge signature can also be used to automatically determine whetheror not an EV is fully charged. For example, if the charging current to ahead (or output connection or channel) is turned on at time t0 but doesnot stabilize after a preset amount of time has passed (t2), then thecharging current is turned off and switched to another head (or outputconnection or channel).

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are flowcharts 1100, 1200, and 1300, respectively,illustrating examples of operations for monitoring and managing anetwork of EV charging stations in embodiments according to the presentinvention. These operations are generally described below, as details ofthese operations have already been described above.

The flowchart 1100 of FIG. 11 can be implemented in a multivehiclecharging system such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. Inblock 1102, with reference also to FIGS. 5-8, a voltage is received at acontroller (106) over a dedicated circuit (131) from an electric powersupply (130).

In block 1104, a charging current generated using the voltage isdirected to a first output connection (e.g., 541) if a first EV isconnected to a head (e.g., 511) of the first output connection.

In block 1106, the charging current to the first output connection isstopped.

In block 1108, after the charging current to the first output connectionis stopped, the charging current is directed to a second outputconnection (e.g., 542) if a second EV is connected to a head (e.g., 512)of the second output connection. In an embodiment, the charging currentis directed to the first output connection for a first interval of time,stopped when the first interval expires, and then directed to the secondoutput connection for a second interval of time. In an embodiment, thecharging current is directed to the first output connection until thecharging current drops to a threshold amperage, stopped when thethreshold is reached, and then directed to the second output connection.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether the charging current should be provided.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether there is an electrical load connected to the output connection.In this embodiment, the charging current is not directed to the outputconnection if there is not an electrical load.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether an EV connected to the output connection requires furthercharging (e.g., is fully charged). For example, a charge signature forthe EV can be used to determine whether the EV is fully charged. In thisembodiment, the charging current is not provided to the outputconnection if the EV does not require further charging.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before a charging current isprovided to an output connection, a determination is made as to whetherthe output connection is already drawing a current, and for indicating afault condition when the output connection is drawing a current beforethe charging current is provided.

The flowchart 1200 of FIG. 12 can be executed by a controller (106) thatincludes a processor 402 and a number of channels (1-4) as described inconjunction with FIG. 4. In block 1202, a charging current generatedfrom an input power supply (130) is directed to a first one of thechannels.

In block 1204, the charging current to the first channel is turned off.In various embodiments, the charging current is turned off if a timeinterval expires or if the amperage of the charging current decreases toa particular threshold.

In block 1206, after the charging current to the first channel is turnedoff, a charging current is directed from the input power supply to asecond one of the channels.

With reference also to FIG. 1, the flowchart 1300 of FIG. 13 illustratesa method of charging one or more EVs at a charging station (110). Inblock 1302, a voltage from an electric power supply (130) is received atan input (108) of the charging station over a dedicated circuit (131).The charging station includes a number of output cables or connectors(141-144), each of which is connected to at least one head (111-114).

In block 1304, a charging current is provided to only one of the outputcables at a time if multiple EVs are concurrently connected to thecharging station via the heads. The charging current is provided to afirst one of the output cables and then the charging current is stopped,switched to a second one of the output cables, and restarted.

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17 illustrate examples of displays that constituteselected elements of the GUI 304 (FIG. 3) that are rendered on a displaydevice 1912 in embodiments according to the invention. The displaysshown in these examples may be full-screen displays, or they may bewindows in a full-screen display. The displays may be displayedindividually, or multiple displays may be displayed at the same time(e.g., side-by-side). The displays shown and described below areexamples only, intended to demonstrate some of the functionality of theGUI 304. The present invention is not limited to these types orarrangements of displays.

The GUI 304 is a browser-based interface that utilizes current basicfunctions of the browser plus additional functionality that can be usedto manage and monitor a multivehicle charging system or network thatincludes one or more charging stations such as those describedpreviously herein. Each charging station, output connection, and/or headcan be monitored and controlled (programmed) over a network.

Furthermore, some or all of the GUI 304 can be accessed remotely fromanother computer system or a device such as a smartphone, or informationfrom the GUI can be pushed to remote devices such as other computersystems and smartphones. Also, in an embodiment, information from asmartphone or computer system, including a computer system or similartype of intelligent device on an EV, is received via the browser-basedinterface and used, for example, to control charging or to providebilling information to the owner or manager of the EV charging system.

In an embodiment, the display 1400 includes, in essence, a rendering ofa map showing a network of charging stations 1-5 represented by the GUIelements 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, and 1405 (1401-1405), respectively. Thecharging stations 1-5 may be exemplified by any of the charging stationsdescribed herein. In an embodiment, the display 1400 indicates thepositions of the charging stations relative to one another and relativeto nearby landmarks (e.g., the building A) as well as the approximatelocations of the charging stations in a parking lot. Priority chargingstations (stations with a priority connection or channel) can also bedesignated in the map; in the example of FIG. 14, a letter “P” is placedproximate to a charging station that includes a priority connection orchannel. As mentioned above, information included in the display 1400can be sent to or accessed by remote devices such as smartphones. Thus,drivers can determine the locations of charging stations in the network.Also, in an embodiment, the GUI elements 1401-1405 can be used toindicate which of the charging stations has or may have an availableoutput connection. In the example of FIG. 14, the GUI element 1401 isshaded to indicate that it has an output connection that may beavailable.

The GUI elements 1401-1405 can be individually selected (e.g., byclicking on one of them with a mouse, or by touching one of them on atouch screen). When one of the GUI elements (e.g., the element 1401,corresponding to station 1) is selected, the display 1500 of FIG. 15 isdisplayed on the display device 1912. The display 1500 includes GUIelements 1501, 1502, 1503, and 1504 (1501-1504) representing the outputconnections 141-144 of the selected charging station, as well as a GUIelement 1510 that identifies the selected charging station.

The GUI elements 1501-1504 can be used to indicate which of the outputconnections is connected to an EV and which one of the outputconnections is currently providing a charging current to an EV. In theexample of FIG. 15, the GUI elements 1503 and 1504 are colored, lit, ordarkened to indicate that they are currently connected to an EV, and theGUI element 1503 is highlighted in some manner (e.g., encircled by theGUI element 1515) to indicate that the output connection 143 of station1 is currently providing a charging current to an EV. In an embodiment,the GUI elements 1501-1504 include text to indicate the status of therespective output connections; for example, the word “active” can bedisplayed within a GUI element to indicate that the corresponding outputconnection is being used to charge an EV, and the word “standby” can bedisplayed within a GUI element to indicate that the corresponding outputconnection is available. Also, priority output connections can also beidentified in some manner; in the example of FIG. 15, a letter “P” isplaced proximate to the GUI element 1504 to indicate that the outputconnection 144 is a priority connection. As mentioned above, informationincluded in the display 1500 can be sent to or accessed by remotedevices such as smartphones. Thus, drivers can determine which chargingstations in the network are in use and which are available.Alternatively, an alert of some type can be sent to the drivers'devices.

In an embodiment, the display 1600 is opened and displayed on thedisplay device 1912 by selecting (clicking on or touching) the GUIelement 1510. The display 1600 displays information for each of theoutput connections 141-144 of charging station 1. For example, thedisplay 1600 can indicate the status of each of the output connections141-144, to indicate which of the output connections is connected to anEV and which one of the output connections is providing a chargingcurrent to an EV, similar to what was described above. Otherinformation, such as the voltage level and amperage for each outputconnection and the on/off status of each output connection, can also bedisplayed. Using the GUI elements 1611, 1612, 1613, and 1614, a user canindividually turn off or turn on the output connections 141-144. Similarcontrol mechanisms can be used to turn on and off individual chargingstations and to turn on and off individual heads. Priority outputconnections can also be identified in some manner; in the example ofFIG. 16, a letter “P” is placed proximate to the GUI element 1604 toindicate that the output connection 144 is a priority connection.

In an embodiment, the display 1600 includes a GUI element 1601, 1602,1603, and 1604 (1601-1604) for the output connections 141-144,respectively. The GUI elements 1601-1604 can be individually selected(e.g., by clicking on one of them with a mouse, or by touching one ofthem). When one of the GUI elements (e.g., the element 1603,corresponding to the output connection 143) is selected, the display1700 of FIG. 17 is displayed on the display device 1912. In anembodiment, the display 1700 includes a graph 1710 (a charge signature)that shows amperage versus time for the output connection 143. Asmentioned above, information included in the display 1700 can be sent toor accessed by remote devices such as smartphones. Thus, using thecharge signature, drivers can determine whether or not their vehicle hasfinished charging.

In an embodiment, the display 1700 also includes a log 1720. The log1720 can display information such as a continuous log of events, withthe last event on top. Events can include alerts, state changes,user-driven changes, device additions, and changes made by an event foreach charging station, output connection, and/or channel. The log 1720,or a separate log, can include information such as charging data(charging signature) for each charge and amperage draw over time forcharging stations, output connections, and/or heads. The charging datacan include the length of each charging cycle (e.g., for each outputconnection, when charging an EV began and when it ended). The chargingdata can be used to identify and implement better charge and cycledurations.

With reference back to FIG. 14, the GUI 304 can include a settings tabthat, when selected, can be used to open a display or window that allowsa user to edit charging station settings such as the length of thecharging interval for each output connection, set thresholds such as thecharging threshold described above (FIG. 10), set alert thresholds andfunctions, and define additional information such as, for example,charging station name/label, description, and location. The GUI 304 canalso include a users tab that can be used to authorize which users canuse the multivehicle charging system and which users are currently usingthe system.

The GUI 304 can indicate alerts in any number of different ways. Forexample, a GUI element (not shown) can be displayed in the display 1400,or the GUI element 1401-1405 associated with a charging station that isexperiencing a possible fault condition can be changed in some way(e.g., a change in color). Similarly, the GUI element 1501-1504associated with an output connection that is experiencing a possiblefault condition can be changed in some way (e.g., a change in color).Alerts can also be audio alerts.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart 1800 illustrating examples of operationsassociated with monitoring and managing a network of EV chargingstations in an embodiment according to the invention. These operationsare generally described below, as details of these operations havealready been described above.

In block 1802, with reference also to FIG. 14, a GUI (304) that includesa GUI element (1401-1405) for each of the charging stations in thenetwork is generated.

In block 1804, a selection of a GUI element for a charging station isreceived.

In block 1806, based on the information received from the network ofcharging stations, GUI elements that identify which output connection ofthe charging station is receiving a charging current are displayed.

In block 1808, in response to commands received via the GUI (that is,responsive to user interaction with the GUI), components (e.g., thecharging station itself, and/or output connections and heads of thecharging station) of the network are individually turned on and off.

In block 1810, information that indicates the availability of thecharging station and/or the availability of output connections and/orheads is sent to another device such as a smartphone.

Embodiments according to the present invention thus include, but are notlimited to, the following features: multiple physical chargingstations/connections per circuit; rotating (e.g., round-robin) charging;and automatic charging of multiple vehicles without user intervention.

Because only a single circuit is used for multiple chargingstations/connections, costs are reduced. In other words, it is notnecessary to pay for a dedicated circuit for each charging station, forexample. New charging stations can be added at a reduced cost perstation; more charging stations can be installed for the same cost.Existing infrastructure (e.g., an existing circuit) can be readilymodified to accommodate multiple charging stations instead of a singlestation.

With more charging stations, vehicle charging is more convenient. Forinstance, vehicles will not have to be moved as frequently. From anemployee's perspective, the availability of a convenient chargingstation at the workplace is a perk. From an employer's perspective, theavailability of a convenient charging station may encourage employees tostay at work a little longer in order to get a free charge, plusemployees' productivity may increase because they do not have to movetheir cars as frequently.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device orcomputer system 1910 capable of implementing embodiments according tothe present invention. The device 1910 broadly includes any single ormulti-processor computing device or system capable of executingcomputer-readable instructions, such as those described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 2, 11, 12, 13, and 18. In its most basic configuration, thedevice 1910 may include at least one processing circuit (e.g., theprocessor 1914) and at least one non-volatile storage medium (e.g., thememory 1916).

The processor 1914 of FIG. 19 generally represents any type or form ofprocessing unit or circuit capable of processing data or interpretingand executing instructions. In certain embodiments, the processor 1914may receive instructions from a software application or module (e.g.,the application 1940). These instructions may cause the processor 1914to perform the functions of one or more of the example embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated above.

The system memory 1916 generally represents any type or form of volatileor non-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orother computer-readable instructions. Examples of system memory 1916include, without limitation, RAM, ROM, flash memory, or any othersuitable memory device. In an embodiment, the system memory 1916includes a cache 1920.

The device 1910 may also include one or more components or elements inaddition to the processor 1914 and the system memory 1916. For example,the device 1910 may include a memory device, an input/output (I/O)device such as a keyboard and mouse (not shown), and a communicationinterface 1918, each of which may be interconnected via a communicationinfrastructure (e.g., a bus). The device 1910 may also include a displaydevice 1912 that is generally configured to display a GUI (e.g., the GUIdisplays of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17). The display device 1912 may alsoinclude a touch sensing device (e.g., a touch screen).

The communication interface 1918 broadly represents any type or form ofcommunication device or adapter capable of facilitating communicationbetween the device 1910 and one or more other devices. The communicationinterface 1918 can include, for example, a receiver and a transmitterthat can be used to receive and transmit information (wired orwirelessly), such as information from and to the charging stations in amultivehicle charging system or network and information from and toother devices such as a smartphone or another computer system.

The device 1910 can execute an application 1940 that allows it toperform operations including the operations and functions describedherein (e.g., the operations of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 18). A computerprogram containing the application 1940 may be loaded into the device1910. For example, all or a portion of the computer program stored on acomputer-readable medium may be stored in the memory 1916. When executedby the processor 1914, the computer program can cause the processor toperform and/or be a means for performing the functions of the exampleembodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Additionally oralternatively, the example embodiments described and/or illustratedherein may be implemented in firmware and/or hardware.

The application 1940 can include various software modules that performthe functions that have been described herein. For example, theapplication can include a user management module 1941, and systemmanagement module 1942, and a GUI module 1943. The user managementmodule 1941 can perform functions such as, but not limited to, settingup user accounts that authorize users to use the multivehicle chargingnetwork, authenticating users, metering power consumed by each user, andoptionally billing users. The system management module 1942 can performfunctions such as, but not limited to, monitoring the availability andfunctionality of network components such as circuits, channels, outputconnections, heads, and charging stations, controlling (e.g., turning onand off) such components, monitoring charge signatures and chargingperiods (to rotate charging in, for example, round-robin fashion asdescribed herein), collecting and logging network information, andperforming diagnostics. The GUI module 1943 can perform functions suchas, but not limited to, generating a GUI that can be accessed by anetwork administrator and can also be accessed by or pushed to otherdevices such as smartphones.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be considered asexamples because many other architectures can be implemented to achievethe same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various example methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated hereinin the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more ofthese example embodiments may be distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readablemedia used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodimentsdisclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules thatperform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch,or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readablestorage medium or in a computing system. These software modules mayconfigure a computing system to perform one or more of the exampleembodiments disclosed herein. One or more of the software modulesdisclosed herein may be implemented in a cloud computing environment.Cloud computing environments may provide various services andapplications via the Internet. These cloud-based services (e.g., storageas a service, software as a service, platform as a service,infrastructure as a service, etc.) may be accessible through a Webbrowser or other remote interface. Various functions described hereinmay be provided through a remote desktop environment or any othercloud-based computing environment.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the disclosure is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, thespecific features and acts described above are disclosed as exampleforms of implementing the disclosure.

Embodiments according to the invention are thus described. While thepresent disclosure has been described in particular embodiments, itshould be appreciated that the invention should not be construed aslimited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric vehicle (EV) charging system,comprising: a controller; and a plurality of output connections coupledto the controller, wherein each of the output connections is couplableto at least one head of a plurality of heads that are connectable toEVs; wherein the controller is operable for directing a charging currentdelivered over a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply to afirst one of the output connections if a first EV is connected to a headcoupled to the first one of the output connections, wherein further thecharging current to the first one of the output connections is stopped,switched to a second one of the output connections, and restarted if asecond EV is connected to a head coupled to the second one of the outputconnections.
 2. The EV charging system of claim 1, wherein the chargingcurrent is directed to the first one of the output connections for afirst interval of time and stopped when the first interval expires, andwherein further the charging current is then directed to the second oneof the output connections and restarted for a second interval of time.3. The EV charging system of claim 2, wherein a length of the firstinterval and a length of the second interval are individuallyprogrammable to be any interval of time.
 4. The EV charging system ofclaim 2, wherein the first interval and the second interval are not morethan 30 minutes each in length.
 5. The EV charging system of claim 1,wherein the charging current is directed to the output connections inround-robin fashion, one at a time, if multiple EVs are concurrentlyconnected to the output connections.
 6. The EV charging system of claim1, wherein the output connections include an output connectiondesignated as a priority connection, wherein the charging current isdirected to the priority connection more frequently than to other outputconnections of the plurality of output connections.
 7. The EV chargingsystem of claim 1, wherein the charging current is directed to the firstone of the output connections until the charging current drops to athreshold and stopped when the threshold is reached, and wherein furtherthe charging current is then directed to the second one of the outputconnections and restarted.
 8. The EV charging system of claim 1, whereinthe controller is further operable for determining, before the chargingcurrent is provided to an output connection, whether there is anelectrical load coupled to the output connection, wherein the chargingcurrent is not directed to the output connection if there is not anelectrical load coupled to the output connection.
 9. The EV chargingsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable fordetermining, before the charging current is provided to an outputconnection, whether an EV coupled to the output connection requirescharging, wherein the charging current is not provided to the outputconnection if the EV does not require charging.
 10. The EV chargingsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable fordetermining, before a charging current is provided to an outputconnection, whether the output connection is already drawing a current,and for indicating a fault condition when the output connection isdrawing a current before the charging current is provided.
 11. The EVcharging system of claim 1, wherein the output connections comprise anoutput connection operable for delivering a charging current to a firsthead and a second head, wherein the charging current delivered throughthe output connection is split between the first and second heads if thefirst and second heads are concurrently connected to EVs.
 12. The EVcharging system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of chargingstations coupled between the output connections and the controller,wherein each of the charging stations is couplable to a head of theplurality of heads.
 13. The EV charging system of claim 1, furthercomprising a charging station, wherein the output connections arecoupled to the charging station through the controller.
 14. A controllerfor an electric vehicle (EV) charging system, the controller comprising:a processor; and a plurality of channels coupled to the processor,wherein each of the channels is couplable to at least one head of aplurality of heads that are concurrently connectable to EVs; wherein theprocessor is operable for directing a charging current from an inputpower supply to only one of the channels at a time if multiple EVs areconcurrently connected to the heads, wherein a charging current isprovided to a first one of the channels, the charging current to thefirst one of the channels is then turned off, and a charging current isthen provided to a second one of the channels in accordance with acharging procedure.
 15. The controller of claim 14, wherein each channelof the channels is coupled to a respective output connection, andwherein each channel comprises a sensor selected from the groupconsisting of: a voltage sensor and a current sensor.
 16. The controllerof claim 15, operable for detecting an electrical load coupled to achannel before a charging current is provided to the channel, whereinthe charging current is not provided to the channel if there is not anelectrical load coupled to the channel.
 17. The controller of claim 15,operable for detecting a charge signature for an EV coupled to a channelbefore a charging current is provided to the channel, wherein thecharging current is not provided to the channel if the charge signatureindicates that the EV is fully charged.
 18. The controller of claim 14,operable for providing the charging current to the first one of thechannels for a first interval of time, turning off the charging currentto the first one of the channels when the first interval of timeexpires, and then providing the charging current to the second one ofthe channels for a second interval of time in accordance with thecharging procedure.
 19. The controller of claim 14, operable forproviding a charging current to each of the channels one channel at atime in round-robin fashion.
 20. The controller of claim 14, wherein thechannels include a channel designated as a priority channel, wherein thecharging system is operable for providing a charging current to thepriority channel more frequently than to other channels of the pluralityof channels.
 21. The controller of claim 14, operable for turning offthe charging current to the first one of the channels when the chargingcurrent to the first one of the channels drops below a threshold amount,and then providing the charging current to the second one of thechannels.
 22. An electric vehicle (EV) charging station, comprising: aninput operable for receiving a voltage from an electric power supplyover a dedicated circuit; a plurality of output cables coupled to theinput; and a plurality of heads connectable concurrently to a pluralityof EVs, each of the output cables coupled to at least one head of theplurality of heads, wherein the plurality of heads are configured toconnect to EVs and are operable for delivering charging currents to EVsconnected to the heads; wherein the charging station is operable forproviding a charging current to only one of the output cables at a timeif multiple EVs are concurrently connected to the charging station viathe heads, wherein the charging current is provided to a first one ofthe output cables and then the charging current is stopped, switched toa second one of the output cables, and restarted.
 23. The EV chargingstation of claim 22, operable for providing the charging current to thefirst one of the output cables for a first interval of time, turning offthe charging current to the first one of the output cables when thefirst interval of time expires, and then providing the charging currentto the second one of the output cables for a second interval of time.24. The EV charging station of claim 22, operable for providing acharging current to each of the output cables one output cable at a timein round-robin fashion.
 25. The EV charging station of claim 22,operable for providing a charging current to the first one of the outputcables, turning off the charging current to the first one of the outputcables when the charging current to the first one of the output cablesdrops below a threshold amount, and then providing a charging current tothe second one of the output cables.
 26. The EV charging station ofclaim 22, operable for detecting an electrical load coupled to an outputcable before a charging current is provided to the output cable, whereinthe charging current is not provided to the output cable if there is notan electrical load coupled to the output cable.
 27. The EV chargingstation of claim 22, operable for detecting a charge signature for an EVcoupled to an output cable before a charging current is provided to theoutput cable, wherein the charging current is not provided to the outputcable if the charge signature indicates that the EV is fully charged.28. The EV charging station of claim 22, wherein the output cablescomprise an output cable operable for delivering a charging current to afirst head and a second head, wherein the charging current deliveredthrough the output cable is split between the first and second heads ifthe first and second heads are connected to respective EVs at the sametime.